"To be honest, if we still use two defensive midfielders, it will be hard to stop Manchester City's attack and penetration."
At the Valdebebas training base in Madrid, Mourinho and his coaching staff were holding an intensive meeting to discuss how to prepare for Manchester City's tactics and style of play.
Manchester City's attacking firepower had been clearly demonstrated in last season's Premier League.
Their front line, made up of Suarez, Robben, Hazard, Robinho, Gareth Bale, and Sturridge, had swept through the league. They even completed the second half of the season with a perfect record, an unprecedented feat in the Premier League and across all four major European leagues. With this run of victories, Gao Shen had once again cemented his place as a world-class coach.
If there had still been doubts about Gao Shen's ability to adapt to English football, they were completely silenced by last season's dominance. He had conquered the Premier League and added another title after winning La Liga and Serie A.
At just 30 years old, with league titles in three of Europe's top five leagues, what could be more impressive?
More importantly, Gao Shen was now aiming to lead Manchester City to Champions League glory. If he succeeded, he would undoubtedly become a legend in world football history.
Unfortunately, Mourinho and Real Madrid were now standing in his way.
Faria had a clear understanding of Real Madrid's current condition and had also gathered plenty of information on Manchester City. He believed sticking with two holding midfielders would be risky.
"Gao Shen will never be conservative at home. He'll definitely adopt an aggressive approach. When that happens, we'll likely be forced into a direct confrontation."
As Faria spoke, he glanced at Mourinho, as if to remind him: You need to evaluate this carefully.
Could Real Madrid's attacking strength really match Manchester City's?
But to be fair, when it came to firepower, Real Madrid weren't necessarily weaker than City last season.
Under Pellegrini, Real Madrid scored more than 100 goals in La Liga. Their attacking output was just as formidable.
Now, with Mourinho in charge and bolstered by players like Özil and Khedira, the overall squad had reached a new level. Everyone expected Real Madrid to be capable of surpassing even Barcelona.
Thinking of this, Mourinho realized he didn't really have much room to maneuver.
Why had Pellegrini been sacked?
Because he couldn't deliver the results, especially in the Champions League.
Real Madrid had actually performed well last season, and to this day many people still felt it was a pity Pellegrini was dismissed.
Now Mourinho had taken over, and the pressure was all on him.
"Our attack can match Manchester City's!" Mourinho said confidently.
Faria, Karanka, and the others considered it for a moment, then nodded.
With Cristiano Ronaldo, Di María, Benzema, Higuaín, and Adebayor—even without the injured Kaká—Real Madrid's attack was certainly strong enough.
"I've already spoken to Ronaldo and Di María. I trust them. They'll be able to press and help in defense."
Mourinho stood up and walked over to the tactics board, where he quickly laid out the expected starting lineup. It included the attacking trio up front and the midfield configuration.
There weren't many options in midfield. The lineup would revolve around the same three players.
This was Real Madrid's strongest available combination. Unless Mourinho opted for a three-defensive-midfield setup, there wasn't much room for adjustment.
"We'll respond with a 4-2-3-1 formation and apply high pressure in the attacking third. Our midfield can hold off Manchester City. Especially with Di María and Ronaldo pressing from the front, City's full-backs won't have many chances to push forward. The only problem is this flank."
Mourinho circled the left side of the tactical map—Marcelo's side.
"I know Robben well. I used him as a left winger, but at Manchester City he plays on the right. He's very capable one-on-one, and I'm worried Marcelo won't be able to contain him."
Everyone understood what Mourinho meant.
He didn't want to be conservative.
All of them, including Faria and Karanka, couldn't help but think back to Florentino's phone call.
Even though Mourinho hadn't said anything about it, and Florentino hadn't made any specific requests, anyone with eyes could tell the president had expectations.
Recently, both Marca and AS, Real Madrid's two main media outlets, had been heavily hyping up the team. The fans were demanding that the squad perform at their best at the Etihad Stadium.
What was this?
To Real Madrid fans, Gao Shen was like an unreachable goddess, their white moonlight. They might not fully appreciate their current "partner," but they still hoped he could outshine the one they couldn't have.
Naturally, that pressure fell on Mourinho.
It forced him not to be timid.
"Everyone, I've just taken over Real Madrid, and I said I'd make this team the best in Europe. With superstars like Ronaldo, Di María, and Kaká, we have no reason to fear anyone."
"Even facing Gao Shen and his Manchester City, I believe we have what it takes to compete."
"There's no need to be conservative, even away from home, right?"
Mourinho's words were immediately echoed by assistant coach Karanka.
"Well said. Real Madrid has never been a defensive team. Sitting back and counterattacking isn't our style. If we're timid now against Manchester City, what are we going to do against Barcelona?"
Karanka's comment captured what many at Real Madrid were thinking.
From Florentino to Valdano, to the fans, the media, and even the players.
With a superstar like Ronaldo, any manager should let him focus on attacking, not make him track back and defend.
That would be a complete waste of talent.
"Very good!" Mourinho praised Karanka.
"Then let's start preparing. The match in Manchester is our first Champions League game of the season. No matter what, we must do everything to win and make a strong start. Understood?"
"Understood!" everyone replied firmly.
Mourinho's expression was resolute. He was determined to win this match.
He didn't just want to win. He wanted to win convincingly, especially in the eyes of the Real Madrid board led by Florentino.
He wanted them all to know that José Mourinho was no less than Gao Shen.
He was stronger than Gao Shen!
…
On the afternoon of September 11, in the fourth round of the Premier League, Manchester City hosted Blackburn at the Etihad.
The two-week international break had affected City's rhythm. All of the South American internationals were benched in favor of an all-European starting lineup.
Because of the smooth communication between Gao Shen and the national teams, and close cooperation between City's medical and coaching staff and their national counterparts, Dr. Sala even arranged staff to travel to the Dutch national team to monitor Robben and Van Persie.
As a result, City's players returned from international duty in good shape.
Still, Gao Shen made heavy rotations for the fourth round.
Robben was on the bench, while Van Persie started.
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce was a shrewd tactician. He knew City would be distracted by the upcoming Champions League game, so he adopted a very defensive approach at the Etihad, hoping to take advantage and sneak a result.
He was confident City wouldn't go all-out against Blackburn.
But he underestimated one thing—City's bench was still very strong this season.
In the 25th minute, Yaya Touré played a brilliant through ball from deep. Van Persie received it in the box, spun, and smashed a volley past Robinson to give City the lead.
After that, the match settled into a stalemate.
In the 55th minute, Van Persie returned the favor, controlling the ball in the box and laying it off. Yaya Touré burst through and fired a long-range shot to double the lead.
Gao Shen then began making substitutions to conserve energy for midweek.
In the end, Manchester City beat Blackburn 2–0.
…
Four hours after City's match, Real Madrid hosted Osasuna in La Liga's second round.
Mourinho sent out his full-strength lineup, but the game was tight. The first half ended 0–0.
In the second half, Real Madrid stepped up the pressure. In the 47th minute, following chaos from a corner, they launched a second wave of attack. Ronaldo delivered a great pass, and Carvalho scored from close range.
It was the only goal of the game.
Real Madrid won 1–0.
It wasn't a spectacular performance, but Mourinho expressed satisfaction with both the result and the process afterward.
The Portuguese coach said Real Madrid's real focus was on the upcoming Champions League match in midweek.
"This is a very important game. It holds special meaning, both for me and for Real Madrid."
"I don't think it will decide the group, but it will be a great way to start our campaign."
Mourinho said he was very familiar with Gao Shen and the Premier League.
"I know how to fight in the Premier League and how to win in Manchester, because I know that place well."
He emphasized that Real Madrid must play their own way when facing a Premier League team in the Champions League. "Any short-term adjustments could backfire."
"I want to tell the fans, there's no need to worry. We are not cowards. We'll show our courage and determination in this crucial match. We'll beat our opponents and bring home three valuable group-stage points."
"I believe in my players. They won't let us down!"
Finally, Mourinho declared with great ambition that Real Madrid would prove at the Etihad Stadium, "We are the strongest team in European football!"
(To be continued.)
***
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